James Madison Athletics Launches Into New Territory of NCAA Framework

NOTE: This is the first in a series of communications regarding JMU's plans to successfully evolve in the new environment of college athletics.

HARRISONBURG, Va. – As terms settled late on Friday, June 6 on the system-altering House vs. NCAA federal court case, James Madison University will opt in to the terms of the settlement, with alterations to roster limits for all 18 sport programs, modifications to scholarship allocations and the advent of direct financial benefits to student-athletes. (more settlement information) JMU's participation in the new structure stresses the enhanced overall value of athletics scholarship and the inherent benefits of intercollegiate athletics participation.

"It's a new and exciting time for college athletics, and especially for James Madison University Athletics," Director of Athletics Matt Roan said. "Ultimately, we exist to provide opportunities and maximum value to student-athletes, and this settlement offers a vastly improved framework to do just that."

As part of the settlement terms, JMU joins all NCAA Division I institutions in contributing to the financial requirements in the form of a six-figure annual payment for back damages over the next 10 years. For institutions that opt-in on the terms of the settlement, the NCAA will scrap decades-old scholarship limits in favor of new roster limits for each sport. The settlement also includes language allowing direct NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) payments to student-athletes from the institution and new rules will create increased scrutiny surrounding third-party NIL arrangements.

In addition to increased financial commitment to scholarships due to changes in roster sizes, student-athletes at JMU now can receive direct financial benefits by engaging in revenue-generating activities as part of NIL agreements. Combined with cost of attendance, the introduction of new academic incentive awards and third-party NIL opportunities through JMU's Honors1 program and programs such as the Dukes Exchange, student-athletes will have unprecedented, enhanced value of athletic participation. Overall, scholarship increases and the advent of direct financial benefits to student-athletes will result in a multimillion dollar increase in JMU Athletics expenses.

"I want to thank our university leadership for their support, as well as our athletics administration team that has worked incredibly hard to build a framework that will be successful at JMU, as well as thanking our coaches who have been proactive partners in this process," Roan said. "It's critical at JMU that we position and ultimately organize ourselves for success within our peer groups and on a national level, all while protecting the holistic, broad-based approach we've had to supporting 18 sport programs."

With the addition of revenue sharing, JMU Athletics has made two key personnel adjustments. Associate Athletic Director Stephen LaPorta will take on the new title of Associate AD for Governance and Talent Management with an emphasis on all aspects of scholarship enhancement. In addition, previous Senior Associate AD Cliff Wood returns to JMU Athletics in a new role of General Manager with a focus on overall revenue sharing strategy and negotiation.

More information on JMU's approach will be shared over the next few weeks.

A Letter From NCAA President Charlie Baker

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